Sunday, June 03, 2012

Asean defense execs back freedom of navigation on South China Sea

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) has cited the
importance of freedom of navigation and called for the implementation of
the conduct of parties in the South China Sea amid the ongoing standoff
between the Philippines and China over Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal.

During
the 6th Asean Defense Ministers Meeting in Cambodia, Department of
National Defense (DND) spokesman Peter Paul Galvez said the Asean was
one in reaffirming its commitment to the full and effective
implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South
China Sea or the West Philippine Sea.

“We are also one in our
affirmation to work toward the adoption of a regional Code of Conduct in
the South China Sea that will further promote peace and stability in
the region,” Galvez said.

“Likewise, together with the rest of the
Asean, we underscore the importance of freedom of navigation in and
over-flight above the South China Sea as provided for by universally
recognized principles of international law, including the 1982 United
Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLoS),” he added.

The
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has been citing the UNCLoS in
justifying the country’s claim over Panatag Shoal, which is located
approximately 124 nautical miles off Masinloc in Zambales, well-within
the 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone stipulated under the
UNCLoS.

The Asean, however, stressed that defense and military
relations between its member-states and China would not be affected by
the ongoing issue regarding the West Philippine Sea.

“When the
issue of the West Philippine Sea was touched, the Asean defense
ministers have concurred that the defense and military cooperation
between Asean and China remained unaffected,” Galvez said.

“The
ministers have also stressed that the Asean and China remain committed
to seeking peaceful resolutions to the West Philippine Sea (dispute),”
he added.

The Asean Defense Ministers Meeting-Plus also included
Australia, China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand,
Russia and the United States as partner-countries.

A
security official, who requested anonymity, said that as of latest
monitoring, there were seven Chinese government-controlled spotted in
Panatag Shoal, composed of three Chinese fishery law enforcement command
ships (FLEC) and four CMS.

Last May 23, the DFA reported the
presence of three Chinese FLECs and two CMS’s on Panatag Shoal. It
subsequently filed a diplomatic protest against Beijing.

The
standoff started last April 9 when the Philippine Navy warship BRP
Gregorio del Pilar accosted eight Chinese fishing vessels caught with
corals, giant clams and live sharks on Panatag Shoal. However, two
Chinese CMS’s arrived in the area and prevented the arrest of the
Chinese fishermen.